Although the DC Icons books do not need to be read in order, readers would get the fullest experience by reading them in publication order, by following this sequence:[1][10-14]
| Order | Cover | Title | First published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novels | ||||
| 1 |
|
Wonder Woman: Warbringer | 2017[10][15] | Opens the series with Diana’s standalone mission beyond Themyscira. |
| 2 |
|
Batman: Nightwalker | 2018[16-17] | Introduces Bruce Wayne in a Gotham-focused origin story. |
| 3 |
|
Catwoman: Soulstealer | 2018[12][18] | Expands the Gotham side through Selina Kyle. |
| 4 |
|
Superman: Dawnbreaker | 2019[13][19-20] | Adds Clark Kent’s origin-style story outside Gotham. |
| 5 |
|
Black Canary: Breaking Silence | 2020[14][21-22] | Presents a Gotham resistance story centered on Dinah Lance. |
| 6 |
|
Harley Quinn: Reckoning | 2022[23-24] | Begins Harley Quinn’s connected three-book arc. |
| 7 |
|
Harley Quinn: Ravenous | 2023[25-27] | Continues from Harley’s earlier story and aftermath. |
| 8 |
|
Harley Quinn: Redemption | 2024[28-30] | Follows Harley and Ivy after the events of Ravenous. |
| Graphic novels | ||||
| 1 |
|
Batman: Nightwalker: The Graphic Novel | 2019[3][31-32] | Adapts the Batman novel and is optional. |
| 2 |
|
Wonder Woman: Warbringer: The Graphic Novel | 2020[2][33-34] | Adapts the Wonder Woman novel and is optional. |
| 3 |
|
Catwoman: Soulstealer: The Graphic Novel | 2021[4] | Adapts the Catwoman novel and is optional. |
Works in sequence
The DC Icons series is divided into eight novels and three graphic novels.[1-4]
Novels
1. Wonder Woman: Warbringer
Wonder Woman: Warbringer (2017)[10][15] follows Diana before she has fully proved herself among the Amazons, drawing her away from Themyscira after she rescues a mortal girl whose existence threatens to trigger catastrophic conflict.[5]
This novel establishes the series’ pattern of self-contained superhero origin stories, combining a young hero’s first major test with a mission that may be read independently from the later books.[5]
2. Batman: Nightwalker
Batman: Nightwalker (2018)[16-17] shifts the series to Gotham City and follows eighteen-year-old Bruce Wayne before he fully accepts the role of a shadowy protector. Its central conflict involves Arkham Asylum, a criminal network, WayneTech, and Bruce’s early encounters with corruption and vigilantism.[6]
It stands apart from Diana’s story while adding another character-focused entry to the series.[6]
3. Catwoman: Soulstealer
Catwoman: Soulstealer, (2018)[12][18] centers on Selina Kyle, her return to Gotham, and her attempts to reshape the city’s criminal world while protecting her sister. This book shares Gotham elements with the Batman entry but remains focused on Selina’s own choices, alliances, and double life.[7]
It may be read alone, though publication order gives helpful context for the collection’s Gotham strand..[7]
4. Superman: Dawnbreaker
Superman: Dawnbreaker (2019)[13][19-20] follows Clark Kent as his powers develop and his understanding of his origins evolves. This novel moves the series away from Gotham and into Smallville, where Clark investigates disappearances, corporate secrecy, and his identity.[8]
It is a separate origin-style story and does not depend on the earlier books.[8]
5. Black Canary: Breaking Silence
Black Canary: Breaking Silence (2020)[14][21-22] returns to Gotham City but presents a distinct version of the setting shaped by the Court of Owls and the silencing of women. Dinah Lance’s story focuses on resistance, inherited identity, and the discovery of her Canary Cry.[9]
It is a standalone book rather than a continuation of the earlier Gotham novels.[9]
6. Harley Quinn: Reckoning
Harley Quinn: Reckoning (2022)[23-24] begins the Harley Quinn strand of the series, following Harleen Quinzel at Gotham University as she becomes involved with a campus vigilante group and an investigation tied to fear toxin, Arkham Asylum, and her developing identity.[35]
Unlike earlier entries, it establishes a continuous path, making it the proper starting point for Harley’s three-book sequence.[35]
7. Harley Quinn: Ravenous
Harley Quinn: Ravenous, originally published on April 25, 2023,[25-27] continues Harleen’s story after the events surrounding Arkham Asylum, chemical injury, and fear-toxin experimentation. It uses memory, investigation, and Harley’s relationship with Pamela Isley to move the plot forward from Reckoning.[36]
Readers may understand the broad premise, but the emotional and narrative context is clearest after reading the first Harley Quinn book.[36]
8. Harley Quinn: Redemption
Harley Quinn: Redemption (2024)[28-30] follows Harley and Ivy after Ravenous, with their relationship, scientific work, and vigilante activity already established. This novel introduces a new threat connected to abduction, bodily transformation, and mind control, while continuing the consequences of Harley’s earlier choices.[37]
In the wider DC Icons series, it is the entry most dependent on the preceding Harley Quinn books.[37]
Graphic novels
1. Batman: Nightwalker: The Graphic Novel
Batman: Nightwalker: The Graphic Novel (2019)[3][31-32] is an adaptation of Batman: Nightwalker. It retells an existing story rather than adding a new prose installment.[38]
Readers may leave it aside at first, while readers interested in adaptations may treat it as a visual companion to Bruce Wayne’s entry.[38]
2. Wonder Woman: Warbringer: The Graphic Novel
Wonder Woman: Warbringer: The Graphic Novel (2020)[2][33-34] adapts the events of Wonder Woman: Warbringer. Its place in the series is supplementary rather than essential, since the main Diana story has already been introduced in the original novel.[39]
It is most useful for readers who want a visual version of the same adventure after, or instead of, reading the prose book.[39]
3. Catwoman: Soulstealer: The Graphic Novel
Catwoman: Soulstealer: The Graphic Novel (2021)[4] is an adaptation of Catwoman: Soulstealer. Like the other graphic novels in the series, it is not a separate continuation of the DC Icons storyline.[40]
It is best treated as optional companion material for readers who want Selina Kyle’s story in another format after encountering, or choosing in place of, the prose version.[40]
References
- DC Icons Series. Penguin Random House.
- Wonder Woman: Warbringer (The Graphic Novel) by Leigh Bardugo: 9781401282554. Penguin Random House.
- Batman: Nightwalker (The Graphic Novel) by Marie Lu: 9781401280048. Penguin Random House.
- CATWOMAN: SOULSTEALER. DC.
- Wonder Woman: Warbringer. Random House Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780399549731.
- Batman: Nightwalker. Ember. ISBN: 9780399549809.
- Catwoman: Soulstealer. Ember. ISBN: 9780399549724.
- Superman: Dawnbreaker. Ember. ISBN: 9780399549687.
- Black Canary: Breaking Silence. Random House Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780593178324.
- Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo: 9780399549762. Penguin Random House.
- Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu. Penguin Random House. Archived.
- Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas: 9780399549724. Penguin Random House.
- Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt de la Peña: 9780399549687. Penguin Random House.
- Black Canary: Breaking Silence by Alexandra Monir: 9780593178348. Penguin Random House.
- Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo. Penguin Random House Canada.
- Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu: 9780399549809. Penguin Random House.
- Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu. Penguin Random House Canada.
- Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas. Penguin Random House Canada.
- Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt de la Peña. Penguin Random House Canada.
- Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt de la Peña. Penguin Books Australia.
- Black Canary: Breaking Silence by Alexandra Monir. Penguin Random House Canada.
- Black Canary: Breaking Silence by Alexandra Monir. Penguin Books Australia.
- Harley Quinn: Reckoning by Rachael Allen: 9780593429877. Penguin Random House.
- Harley Quinn: Reckoning by Rachael Allen. Penguin Random House Canada.
- Harley Quinn: Ravenous by Rachael Allen: 9780593429914. Penguin Random House.
- Harley Quinn: Ravenous by Rachael Allen. Penguin Random House Canada.
- Harley Quinn: Ravenous by Rachael Allen. Penguin Books Australia.
- Harley Quinn: Redemption by Rachael Allen: 9780593429945. Penguin Random House.
- Harley Quinn: Redemption by Rachael Allen. Penguin Random House Canada.
- Harley Quinn: Redemption by Rachael Allen. Penguin Books Australia.
- Batman: Nightwalker (The Graphic Novel) by Marie Lu. Penguin Random House Canada.
- Batman: Nightwalker (The Graphic Novel). Penguin Books Australia.
- Wonder Woman: Warbringer (The Graphic Novel) by Bardugo, Leigh. Penguin Random House Canada.
- Wonder Woman: Warbringer (The Graphic Novel) by Leigh Bardugo. Penguin Books Australia.
- Harley Quinn: Reckoning. Random House Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780593429860.
- Harley Quinn: Ravenous. Random House Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780593429907.
- Harley Quinn: Redemption. Random House Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780593429945.
- Batman: Nightwalker: The Graphic Novel. DC Ink. ISBN: 9781401280048.
- Wonder Woman: Warbringer: The Graphic Novel. DC Comics. ISBN: 9781401282554.
- Catwoman: Soulstealer: The Graphic Novel. DC Comics. ISBN: 9781401296414.